Rivers Police arrest man for raping pastor’s pregnant wife

Members of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a suspect identified as Emeka for allegedly leading the gang rape and death of a pastor’s wife, Mrs Chigbewejim Steward, in Abarikpo community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of ​​the state.

After having previously argued with Ms Steward earlier that day, the suspect and his gang broke into her house at midnight on February 12, 2023, kidnapped the woman and took her to an unknown location.

The suspect is said to have fled the community after receiving information that the police were on his tail.

The husband of the deceased, an assistant pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Abarikpo Township, Attorney Steward, confirmed the arrest of the suspects in a conversation with journalists on Thursday.

Steward recalled: “Yes, Emeka planned my wife’s death after he quarrelled with her because my wife called him an evil man. He told my wife, you will see evil today.

“And that night, February 12, 2023, around 1 a.m., these bad guys came to my house, broke down the door and took my wife.

“My wife was five months pregnant. Emeka and his gang raped and strangled her. The police arrested him on Thursday. He is now in police custody. I went to the station to give my statement.

“I want the government to intervene to ensure justice is done. I thank the police for their efforts in arresting these bad guys.”

He claimed that Emeka and his gang were members of a cult “in Iceland.” When his wife was kidnapped, they took her to their hideout and committed a gang rape and murder.

Steward also recalled that his wife’s body was discovered near a fish pond several hours after her abduction, with numerous bruises and a bleeding vagina.

Our correspondent reports that the late Mrs Steward was a vocal condemnation of criminal and cult-like activities in the Abarikpo community.

When we contacted the State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, she said she would check with the Divisional Police Officer and then get back to our correspondent.

At the time of filing this report on Friday morning, it had not yet done so.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer, who requested anonymity as he could not comment on the issue, told our correspondent that two other suspects besides Emeka had been arrested in connection with the crime.

“It was not just Emeka. Two others were also arrested by the Ahoada police. They are all in custody,” he explained.